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broadband in the Thorp and Edgemont area is anticipated to provide broadband service to <br />over 550 locations. Project development has been ongoing and preparing for start of <br />construction with the identified provider. Public Works would like to schedule a ribbon <br />cutting ceremony to kick off the construction. <br />The project funded through WSBO is currently going through contract development. This <br />project continues to expand broadband service in rural areas of the county, anticipating <br />serving over 700 locations. <br />The State Broadband Office, which is administering the BEAD program, received 307 <br />applications for Round 1 of the BEAD program. Seven project areas within Kittitas <br />County have been identified and set up by the State Broadband Office as eligible for <br />BEAD grant funding. Each project area requires a separate BEAD application. <br />Applications were submitted and two project areas have received provisional awards. The <br />State Broadband Office anticipates soliciting for Round 2 and a future Round 3. Once all <br />rounds of applications are complete, the State Broadband Office will create a package of <br />potential awardees and send it to the federal government for final approval. Once final <br />approval is received, formal awards will be announced and contracts provided. <br />Five project areas remain eligible for applications through BEAD Round 2. Applications <br />for Round 2 are similar to Round 1. One revision is that the State Broadband Office has <br />established a high -cost threshold, that has impacted which applications were awarded. <br />The high -cost threshold was established after Round 1 and is being used as a guide for <br />consideration of alternative technologies to provide high speed internet to rural areas. In <br />order to apply for Round 2 of BEAD funding, a resolution similar to the one provided for <br />Round 1 will be needed. The BEAD program is federal funding and requires a match. <br />The State of Washington is providing match funding when a local agency applies for the <br />program. <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />Grant funding has been awarded through PWB and WSBO, and BEAD Round 1, <br />additional funding will be requested through BEAD Round 2 applications. <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />None <br />